The big and flashy bow brands are cool to look at, touch, or even handle, but you would have to part with a hefty bill for one. Yes, you will get all the bells and whistles, impressive speed, and all the awe and admiration from your hunting buddies, but, in reality, it will not kill your trophy animal deader than a bow that costs half its price. With the best bow under 500 dollars, you will get to enjoy archery on a tight budget, and you can save money to get other necessary outdoor equipment like cameras, binoculars, or even fuel for the trip.
There are numerous models and brands of bows under the 500 dollar mark in the market that choosing the best that meets your needs and requisites. We came up with this guide to help you make the right choice without breaking a sweat. We considered 20 products for review and ended up with a fine list of 6 top-rated bows under 500 dollars. The Diamond Archery Infinite 305 Compound Bow has the best overall position. Its tough build, superior features, and high-quality performance went unmatched.
We spent a great deal of time and used the best sources available in doing research to come up with the list. Some of the features on which we based our choices and rankings include speed ratings, bow length, and weight, let-off, draw-length, and weight, among many others. They determine the quality and efficiency of the Bow. In the comparison table, detailed product reviews, and a comprehensive buying guide below, you will find all the essential information you should know before buying a bow under 500 dollars.
Other features: integral stabilizer, made in the USA
At less than 300 bucks, this Bow delivers top-quality performance with its high-end features giving you the best bang for your bucks. Plus, Diamond is a brand owned by Bowtech, which is a respected bow manufacturer in the world.
The Bow boasts of a solid nifty build that will certainly give you bragging rights among your hunting buddies. Anyone of any age and level of experience can use this Bow thanks to its convenient Axle-to-axle dimensions (31 inches) and the ultra-lightweight build that makes it easy to carry. Even a child can shoot with a bow weighing 3.2 pounds.
It sets the standard for ultra-high-adjustable bows in the market today with its impressive draw-weight range of 5 to 70 pounds. It is nearly impossible to outgrow the Bow as it is also built to last you a lifetime.
The Bow offers a smooth 80% let-off, and you can easily adjust its single cam system for draw lengths between 13 and 31 inches.
You will love the speed at which you will be launching your arrows owing to the remarkable 310fps rating. Chances of you nailing your target are also increased with the bow’s 7.5 inches brace height.
Another plus for this Bow is that it has models for both left and right-hand orientations to suit both right and left-hand archers. In addition, it is packed with extra accessories like a wrist sling, arrow rest, and a peep sight.
In conclusion, this is one of the best compound bows under 500 dollars that will make your hunting escapades more exciting.
Other features: equipped with six Trophy Ridge accessories, advanced grip design
Here is another superb premium quality bow that will blow your mind with its attractive build and powerful performance. Bear is known for making super-attractive and high-end bows. This model was made to bridge the gap between affordability and high-end brand quality.
The Bow is an ultimate all-rounder choice, and it comes in a tough build with quality components. It is ultra-lightweight weighing in at a mere 3 pounds, thus super easy to handle and carry around.
It comes in a myriad of color options, and it has both right-hand and left-hand versions. It is one of the best hunting bows under 500 dollars out there, as it is easily adjustable. With its wide draw-length adjustment range of 12 to 30 inches, hunters can make any changes while in the field to hit their targets.
It also features all the equipment a hunter would need like a 4-pin sight, a nock loop, a peep sight, a 5-arrow quiver, a whisker biscuit, a stabilizer, and a string. The only thing you don’t get in the package is arrows, so you would have to buy them separately before tuning.
One thing that sets this Bow apart from its peers is that it has a special grip design that reduces hand torque. With a steady arm, you will be able to make accurate shots. Its dual limb pockets and riser are also advanced in their design with high-quality material.
With a speed of 316 feet per second, you can do more than just hunting with this Bow.
Overall, this is one of the best bows for the money out there, and you can literally grow with it to your old age thanks to its 5-70 pounds draw-weight range.
Other features: a machined 6061-T6 aluminum riser, aluminum cam and idler wheel
This is a fantastic choice for kids, youth, and beginners. Even intermediate archers can fine-tune their skills using this simple yet versatile Bow. It is designed with the newbie archer in mind, and it offers excellent accuracy, easy usability, and great handling.
The Bow has a simple design and a sturdy build that will work for sure last you a good one. It comes in a variety of colors and camo options so you can choose what suits you best.
It is extremely easy to handle primarily because of its super-lightweight build. The innovative techniques involved in its design keep its weight balanced, thus a perfect alternative for beginners.
With a pull weight of 10 to 20 pounds, you will be able to shoot your arrows with great accuracy. The draw-weight is not as generous as in other models, and you might outgrow it pretty soon, but this is why it is a beginners’ Bow.
You can adjust both the 15-30-inches draw length and weight for maximum efficiency with the hex wrench. With a 0% let-off and 170 fps shooting speed, you are guaranteed of consistent accuracy and great power.
Another plus for this Bow is that it has versions for both left and right-handed people.
All in all, this is by far the best archery bow for kids and novices. It is easy to handle, offers smooth action, flexibility, and exceptional adjustability at an attractive price.
Other features: pre-installed threaded bushings, reinforced limb tips, a 1-year manufacturer warranty
Here is another prime pick for the beginner and intermediate archers. It performs fantastically and is one of the best hunting recurve bows you can get on a budget. It is designed to suit any user regardless of their age or gender.
The Bow comes in a sleek, streamlined design built to last with superior quality materials. It is incredibly lightweight, weighing a mere 2.3 pounds. This guarantees you easy handling and great portability.
The Bow comes in both left and right-hand orientations to suit your shooting style. What’s more, its wide draw-weight range of 20 to 60 pounds makes it highly versatile as almost everyone can find what suits their shooting style.
Its generous draw-length of 22-28 inches also makes it incredibly adjustable and, therefore, easy to use. Though it is not as silent as most of the expensive high-end bows, there are no reports of it being noisy, and that is such a huge plus.
What makes this Bow stand out the most are its accessories. It comes with pre-installed bushings, which you can use for various extras like plungers, sights, stabilizers, quivers, and bow-fishing reels.
With a 1-year warranty, there’s no hunting recurve Bow that will give you the biggest bang for your bucks like this one.
Other features: wood laminated 15-inch riser, D97 string, rounded edges, fine finished wooden handle
Now here is something that suits beginners and experts alike and doesn’t require much digging into the pocket to own. It is an all-around bow with a long-lasting build and outstanding performance.
The Bow comes in an ultra-durable body built with all-natural bamboo and black fiberglass that is finished with a German lamination technology to make it sturdier. It is ergonomically designed for easy and comfortable handling. It is also remarkably lightweight with a total mass weight of 2.2 pounds, thus highly portable and easy to use.
With the 30-60 pounds draw weight, anyone can use the Bow, and it includes a takedown feature that you can use to adjust the limb weight to your preference.
The Bow outdoes most of its competitors with the multiple accessories it comes with. They include; 2 string nocks, 2 limbs, a wood riser, a stringer, a fur rest pad, and a pair of string silencer. For its price, these are plenty of items, and they make it such a huge steal.
With a 1-year warranty, this is the ultimate Bow for any beginner, intermediate, or pro archer in need of a highly efficient bow on a tight budget.
Other features: aluminum bow riser, CNC milling 7075-T6 bow cam
This the ultimate all-rounder bow that gives you a complete package without breaking the bank. It is a favorite among both beginners and experienced archers because of its simplicity and top-notch efficiency.
The Bow is built to last with high-quality material in a unique short design. It is one of the best bows that are big on accuracy out there because of its short 28-inch axle-to-axle length. It is also incredibly lightweight, weighing only 3.31 pounds that anyone can easily carry around.
The Bow’s dual cam system also contributes to its high precision as it is highly adjustable.
In addition, with a 7-inch brace height and a smooth 80% let-off, you will end holding a few pounds of the Bow’s actual poundage, thereby allowing for a super-fast arrow speed of 320fps when you release the arrows.
What’s more, the Bow is designed to improve balance and maximize grip comfort. The materials are also layered in a special way to reduce vibration and any other kind of noise.
The Bow’s wide draw weight and length ranges make it highly versatile. Any user can comfortably handle a draw-weight ranging between 19 and 70 pounds.
All considered, this is one of the best hunting bows under 500 dollars in the market that is worth considering.
There’s more to buying the best Bow under 500 dollars than just walking into a store and picking one with the best attractive price. This buying guide contains all the necessary information that will make choosing a bow a fun and easy process for you. You will get educated on the factors relevant to buying the best Bow under 500 dollars like features to be considered before settling for one.
Here are some of the features you must be keen on for you to make the best buy.
Your choice depends largely on what you intend to use the bow for. Both bows have pros and cons. If you intend to use the bow strictly for hunting, then a compound bow should be your prime pick because it requires less force to pull the string to get the same draw-back power. It is also compact and lightweight, and more accurate.
The recurve bow is a fantastic choice for competitive archery like the Olympics and target practicing.
You have to find a bow that suits your body well for stability. Also, it will determine the areas in which you can use the bow. For instance, you can only use a longbow in open spaces.
This is the amount of force you need to use to draw back the bow, and it is measured in weight.
The only way to find a suitable draw-weight is by starting off with a low draw-weight as you build up slowly. You can choose a bow that you can grow with as your draw weight increases like the Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Bow Package reviewed above.
This is a specific length set to match your physical size to create an optimal draw and, finally, the shot. You can only be able to draw your bow to this length as that is as far as it can go. Most bows don’t allow for an over-draw, so if you need the length changed, it will have to be reset manually first.
This is the point at which the weight on the bow’s string reduces at a percentage of the total draw. Once it is engaged, you can take your time aiming thus very handy in hunting. It allows you to pause so you can track the animal until you’re ready to shoot. The percentage usually ranges between 60% and 80%.
The overall weight of the bow is a crucial aspect. It determines portability, ease of use, and accuracy of the bow. If you intend to use the bow for hunting, you better go for a lightweight model so you can carry it around easily. If you are heavily built, you should use a heavier bow.
Speed rating is one of the aspects that almost every archer would first consider. There’s a time when a 250 fps speed rating was jaw-dropping, but thanks to innovative advancements, you can get bows with speed ratings as high as 370 fps. Go for a bow with a suitable speed for maximum efficiency and accuracy.
Every compound bow has cams on its ends. They allow the string tension and create the resistance of the draw. There are different types of cams, and they determine the speed and smoothness with which your arrow is released.
A riser is the main part of the bow. It is the part you grip onto. It is where the bow’s limbs and many other parts are connected. They are made with different materials including carbon fiber and aluminum, and are usually either machined or forged.
Sights determine how high you can hold the bow in a favorable position according to the distance between you and your target. There are multiple types of sights with varying benefits. You just need to understand your style and area for you to get what suits your need best.
A bow’s adjustability determines its versatility. A bow with a more adjustable draw-length and draw-weight can be used by different people of different ages, sizes, and levels of experience. It is impossible to outgrow an incredibly adjustable bow.
Durability is key, as you wouldn’t want to buy a bow that would need replacing quickly. Be sure to check that the bow is durably built with high-quality material for efficient and long-lasting performance.
If you are looking for a bow for hunting, ensure you get a silent one as you wouldn’t want to scare off your targets when you release the arrow. It’s hard to find a completely silent bow under the 500 dollar mark, but there are a couple of them that aren’t noisy.
This is the spot upon which your arrows rest before shooting it to the target. It is screwed onto the riser, and in some bows, it is designed to retract when you shoot.
Warranty is important as you can always reach out to the manufacturer when you encounter any trouble with your bow. Some manufacturers, Southwest Archery for instance, offer up to a year’s warranty back up for their bows. The longer the warranty, the better as it gives you confidence in the quality of the bow.
There are enormous options of brands and models of bows in the market that picking what suits you can be a daunting task. The information on this guide will make choosing the best bow under 500 dollars a fun and super-easy experience. Going with any of the products we have reviewed in detail above is also not entirely a bad decision.
The Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Bow Package was our best overall pick. Its superior features, exceptional versatility, and outstanding performance could not be matched. Its incredible adjustability set it apart from the rest. The Bear Archery Cruzer G2 Adult Compound Bow and the Compound Bow Topoint Archery Package M1 were also our best picks. They both offered exceptional premium quality both in their build and performance.
The Bear Cruzer is one of the best bows under 500 dollars with a complete hunting package. Its multiple accessories make it more unique. Once you have established your need for a bow, you can always get an affordable but efficient one if you consider all the points mentioned above.
